Riviera Nayarit has grown from a suburb of Puerto Vallarta to its very own breathtaking destination popular among all types of travelers, from star-studded celebrities to exploratory adventure-seekers. The region, which is located within the state of Nayarit and includes popular destinations like Punta Mita, Sayulita and Nuevo Vallarta, has grown from 10,000 hotel rooms to 15,485 and now boasts 192 miles of white sand beaches, including the longest black sand beach in Central and South America. If you’ve ever considered visiting the region, now is the time to go. In 2017 Forbes selected Riviera Nayarit as one of the top destinations of the year while National Geographic named Playa del Amor one of the top 21 beaches in the world. If that’s not enough to entice you, we’ve listed five reasons why Riviera Nayarit should be the location of your next getaway, along with some exciting new resorts and attractions coming soon.
1. Luxury Destination
The destination boasts four AAA Five Diamond hotels, 11 AAA Four Diamond hotels, one AAA Five Diamond restaurant and six AAA Four Diamond restaurants, including the newest member, Azur Bistro de Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, labeled a AAA Four Diamond restaurant in 2017.
2. New Explorations
Islas Marietas, popular for its hidden beach, recently underwent an expert restoration so adventurous travelers can explore this one-of-a-kind natural wonder, whether it be for the first time or the tenth time.
3. Exotic Nature
Riviera Nayarit is filled with exotic animals and plenty of nature. Each year, 80-percent of North American migratory birds visit the destination and for those looking to take park in birdwatching, San Blas has quickly become a popular destination. In addition to birds, more than 500 humpback whales also migrate to Riviera Nayarit to mate and raise their babies in beautiful Banderas Bay.
4. Environment Friendly
The nature of Riviera Nayarit isn’t just beautiful to look at it, it also meets the standards of many environmental certifications. The destination is home to 12 Certified Clean Beaches, more than any other region in Mexico, along with three Blue Flag distinctions in the state of Nayarit: Playa Nuevo Vallarta Norte, Marina Riviera Nayarit La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Laguna Santa María del Oro. Blue Flags indicate high environmental and quality standards for beaches and marines. Nuevo Vallarta was also awarded an EarthCheck certification.
5. Celebrity Getaway
With so many alluring features, it’s no surprise that you might spot a celebrity or two in Riviera Nayarit, especially in the luxurious hideaway of Punta Mita. Recent visitors include Christina Aguilera, Joe Jonas, Alessandra Ambrosio, Selena Gomez and many more.
Coming Soon
- Cirque du Soleil: Opening at the Vidanta Hotels & Resorts in Nuevo Vallarta in 2019, Cirque du Soleil will include a theme park and three hotels.
- One & Only Mandarina: The elite brand will soon make its debut in Riviera Nayarit with a new resort, complete with 145 luxurious villas and private residential estates.
- Fairmont Costa Canuva: Slated to open in 2018, this resort will include 2,500 private residences and a Greg Norman and Lorena Ochoa-designed golf course and will be the main focus of a new beach front village offering five hotels.
- Rosewood Mandarina: Featuring 130 guestrooms, suites and villas, this resort will draw inspiration from local, pre-historic Huichol and Cora cultures and is set to open in 2019.
For more information on Riviera Nayarit, visit: RivieraNayarit.com